Inside “The Black Land”: Jakian Parks’ Photographic Tribute to Black Rodeo Life in Oklahoma

When the dust settles in the rodeo arena and the gospel choir’s last note fades into the Oklahoma sky, a deeper story emerges. It is one of legacy, land, and Black life. That is the world photographer Jakian Parks invites us into with The Black Land, opening November 6 at Mary LeFlore Clements Oklahoma Gallery. Through deeply felt images and layered narratives, Parks presents Black rodeo culture as a living archive of pride, memory, and endurance.

At the core of The Black Land is a desire to affirm the connection between Black people and the land. This relationship holds pain, shaped by centuries of forced labor and stolen land. Yet it also holds memory, wisdom, and deep agricultural insight. Parks uses photography to explore this complexity with sensitivity. He captures quiet moments filled with meaning, such as porch gatherings, horseback rides, and afternoons spent fishing, to tell the story.

Guest curator Chloe` Flowers frames the exhibition as a “ceremonial parade” for Black ancestry and spiritual resilience. She speaks of a supernatural momentum that moves through Black communities. Her vision aligns with Parks’ approach. Together, they offer images that feel meditative and alive.

Photo of Jakian Parks. Courtesy of the artist.

Parks’ personal history with rodeo culture runs deep. He attended rodeos as a child with his aunt, Shay Nolan, whose introduction to cowboy life shaped his artistic path. In adulthood, Parks founded the Oklahoma Cowboys, a nonprofit committed to promoting Black rodeo culture across the state.

His work through that organization has already reached global platforms. He collaborated with Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton’s Fall-Winter 2024 menswear show in Paris, where two Oklahoma Cowboys, Ronnie Davis and Taylor Williams, walked the runway in pieces celebrating Black cowboy identity. Parks also led a Black History Month campaign with Timberland.

One of the most meaningful parts of creating The Black Land was researching the state’s Black towns and historical sites. Parks said this journey pushed him to explore archives and learn more about his own history. His photographs trace a long tradition of Black agricultural and equestrian knowledge that still shapes lives today.

The photographs carry a quiet power. They reveal a narrative often left out of institutional spaces. Black cowboys, families, and elders stand with presence and spirit. Their place in the gallery becomes one of reflection, memory, and celebration.

Jakian Parks: The Black Land will be on view at Mary LeFlore Clements Oklahoma Gallery from November 6, 2025, through June 1, 2026. The exhibition offers viewers a space to connect with the land, witness the beauty of Black rodeo life, and honor the wisdom passed down through generations.

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